In the major league game, I think I witnessed the best situation base-running and hitting since Shelton has been here. Yes, I know it was against lesser players and only spring training. Yorke said they have been working on situations during their drills where they are given a point system, then compete with each other. A 2-0 swing might look different than an 0-2 swing. Where you try to hit needs to be different with a runner on 3rd etc. I also think the Pirates stole 4 or 5 bases that inning. I have so far been impressed with the coaching staff and what I have been hearing multiple players say about them. Tarrick Brock has a big impact on some of the players. Pirates catching coach Jordan Comadena seems to be helping the Pirates catching improve with their pop time etc. He was with the Pirates back when Stallings picked it up another level as well.
I think I commented that I was surprised that EL hadn't listed Griffin in his top 100. I guess all it took was a few ST observations (from yesterday's top prospects article at FG; and if you check The Board you'll see that he's 83rd):
"He slides into the Top 100 next to Arjun Nimmala, who has also made some early-career swing adjustments in an effort to mitigate his hit tool risk."
The average is probably nothing to write home about, but for a HS kid to come to ST with that type of aggressiveness at the plate is encouraging. He's a ballplayer!
Really enjoyed watching the Spring Breakout Game between the Pirates and Phillies, and both Franchises are in excellent shape for prospects. Of course, missing were Paul Skenes and Jared Jones, but, kind of surprised Termarr Johnson was not in the game - he did play last year so maybe an opportunity for others to be seen.
Very impressed by Omar Alfonzo who caught the first 5 or 6 innings and makes excellent contact at the plate from the Left side as pointed out by the 3 100+ EV's. His defense, framing, PB's, etc. lags, but I thought he looked very good in this game. Fangraphs just published their Pirate Top 38 Prospects and he jumped from their No. 31 in 2024 to No. 10 in 2025 - biggest jump by any of the Pirate Prospects. He was 35+ FV in 2024 and is a 40+ FV for 2025.
Others that impressed were Bubba Chandler, Hunter Barco, YDLS, Axiel Plaz, Jhonny Severino, and Konnor Griffin. I did not watch the whole game - just catching as much as possible in between work around the house.
Termarr has been dealing with a bone bruise on his foot. That is why they said he didn't play. However, Termarr didn't dress for many spring training games this year. He only had 7 at bats this year compared to 23 in spring training last year. I didn't see him at the minor league practice I was at either, I wonder how long the bone bruise has been going on.
Nimmo has a knee issue. The Mets sure could use Tommy Pham. BC should hold out for $99.99 in int’l cap space.
In the major league game, I think I witnessed the best situation base-running and hitting since Shelton has been here. Yes, I know it was against lesser players and only spring training. Yorke said they have been working on situations during their drills where they are given a point system, then compete with each other. A 2-0 swing might look different than an 0-2 swing. Where you try to hit needs to be different with a runner on 3rd etc. I also think the Pirates stole 4 or 5 bases that inning. I have so far been impressed with the coaching staff and what I have been hearing multiple players say about them. Tarrick Brock has a big impact on some of the players. Pirates catching coach Jordan Comadena seems to be helping the Pirates catching improve with their pop time etc. He was with the Pirates back when Stallings picked it up another level as well.
I think I commented that I was surprised that EL hadn't listed Griffin in his top 100. I guess all it took was a few ST observations (from yesterday's top prospects article at FG; and if you check The Board you'll see that he's 83rd):
"He slides into the Top 100 next to Arjun Nimmala, who has also made some early-career swing adjustments in an effort to mitigate his hit tool risk."
The average is probably nothing to write home about, but for a HS kid to come to ST with that type of aggressiveness at the plate is encouraging. He's a ballplayer!
Really enjoyed watching the Spring Breakout Game between the Pirates and Phillies, and both Franchises are in excellent shape for prospects. Of course, missing were Paul Skenes and Jared Jones, but, kind of surprised Termarr Johnson was not in the game - he did play last year so maybe an opportunity for others to be seen.
Very impressed by Omar Alfonzo who caught the first 5 or 6 innings and makes excellent contact at the plate from the Left side as pointed out by the 3 100+ EV's. His defense, framing, PB's, etc. lags, but I thought he looked very good in this game. Fangraphs just published their Pirate Top 38 Prospects and he jumped from their No. 31 in 2024 to No. 10 in 2025 - biggest jump by any of the Pirate Prospects. He was 35+ FV in 2024 and is a 40+ FV for 2025.
Others that impressed were Bubba Chandler, Hunter Barco, YDLS, Axiel Plaz, Jhonny Severino, and Konnor Griffin. I did not watch the whole game - just catching as much as possible in between work around the house.
Termarr has been dealing with a bone bruise on his foot. That is why they said he didn't play. However, Termarr didn't dress for many spring training games this year. He only had 7 at bats this year compared to 23 in spring training last year. I didn't see him at the minor league practice I was at either, I wonder how long the bone bruise has been going on.